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Argentina’s World Cup champions had to forgo an open-top bus procession in Buenos Aires and instead flew over the throngs of jubilant supporters dancing in the streets in a helicopter.
At the outset of an eight-hour drive, the team displayed the trophy.
However, the chaos caused by the festivities on the congested roadways made some reconsider.
According to presidential spokesperson Gabriela Cerruti, “the eruption of pleasure made it impossible to continue on the ground.”
Social media footage appeared to show spectators boarding the bus carrying the players’ upper deck while it was passing beneath a bridge at one point, with one spectator tumbling off.
After Lionel Messi and his teammates defeated France in the final on Sunday, the Argentine government stated that Tuesday would be a national holiday in the South American nation.
Local estimates state that there were almost four million people lining the streets of Buenos Aires.
“Today Argentina experienced one of the most extraordinary parties in its history. There was only joy and gratitude during hours and hours of exciting togetherness,” Cerruti added.
By noon on Tuesday, hundreds of thousands of Argentinians had gathered in Buenos Aires’ Plaza de la Repblica.
The players left the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training site at 11:45 local time to travel 20 miles to the heart of Buenos Aires after returning from Qatar early on Tuesday morning (14:45 GMT).
Later that day, the voyage was to end at the capital city’s famous Obelisk monument, where tens of thousands had congregated and created a festive scene.
However, as some of the festivities turned too wild, security personnel refused to permit the bus to proceed to Plaza de la Repblica, the public space where the Obelisk is located.
“A thousand apologies on behalf of all of the champion players. [Such] a shame,” tweeted AFA president Chiqui Tapia.
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez posted a selfie from inside the helicopter
With the majority of the jubilant fans wearing the national team’s blue and white colours, it was a sea of colour in Plaza de la República as they waited for the squad.
Banners were held aloft of captain Messi and the late Diego Maradona – another iconic Argentina player, captain of the 1986 World Cup champions and regarded as one of the greatest players ever – while other fans played instruments or climbed lampposts.
Hundreds of fans lined the streets, with many riding scooters and running behind the bus on a motorway, as the parade made its way towards the Argentine capital.
“It’s crazy, it’s incredible, it’s the best thing that can happen to you in life,” said 25-year-old Matias Gomez, one of those gathered.
“It is an enormous joy to see all these happy people, all together, one with the other, holding hands, giving each other hugs, kisses. We are all one today.”
The team’s captain and striker for Paris St. Germain, Lionel Messi, sat in the midst of the group of players on the upper deck. By winning the World Cup, Messi solidified his status as many people’s favorite player in football history.
He uploaded a photo to Instagram earlier on Tuesday showing himself waking up next to the trophy.
Since Sunday’s thrilling victory against France in a penalty shootout in Qatar, which delivered the nation its first World Cup victory since Maradona hoisted the trophy 36 years ago, Argentina has been in full celebration mode.
In one of the most memorable World Cup finals in the competition’s history, Messi, 35, finally realized his World Cup ambition as La Albiceleste claimed their third championship.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
